Varicose Veins: Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatments
Varicose veins, varicosities, or varicose refer to the condition whereby the veins in a person’s legs become overly dilated or enlarged, making them less efficient at transporting blood up and down our limbs. The condition, which presents as raised and visibly swollen veins, can be painful and uncomfortable, depending on its severity.
Let’s explore what puts us in danger of the condition and what we can do to fight it.
Causes and Risk Factors
Varicose veins occur most frequently among people in certain demographics or who have specific risk factors influencing their likelihood of facing this condition. These include:
- Being over 50 years old
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Working in jobs that require standing for extended periods
- Being overweight
- Heredity or a family history of varicose veins
In the United States, one in four people suffers from varicose veins of varying degrees, most of which are women.
Varicose Vein Treatments
The procedures implemented in treating varicose veins are largely carried out as out-patient procedures, meaning patients are typically allowed to return home on the same day.
Self-Care Routines
Mild varicose veins can be managed and even completely treated by various measures you can carry out independently. Exercising is the first defense against this condition and will help keep it from developing into a more severe form.
Leg stretches and light jogging are examples of activities that help stimulate blood flow in the veins coursing through our leg muscles, easing its symptoms.
Compression Stockings
This is a type of legwear that works by compressing or squeezing our legs. This helps our muscles and veins by reducing the work they need to do to move blood. You can get these stockings at most medical supply stores and pharmacies. If your condition is more severe, you can get stronger types with a prescription. Insurance companies will cover the cost of such stockings if the patient is experiencing symptoms.
Surgeries
In cases where severe symptoms are experienced by the patient and compression stockings and exercise have failed, there are several procedures that vascular surgeons might carry out to alleviate the patient’s discomfort. These include:
- Laser Therapy: Vascular surgeons will use strong bursts of light to shrink the vein back to normal proportions without needing any needles or cuts.
- Sclerotherapy: Here, surgeons will inject medical foam into the problem veins that will cause scarring, narrowing them back down and closing them up to clear the condition.
- Vein-Stripping and High Ligation: Here, the problematic vein will be tied off at a point before it joins the main venous system, after which it can be safely removed using tiny punctures on the patient’s limb. This is a simple outpatient procedure with no lasting discomfort.
- Catheter-Based Procedures (Laser Energy or Radiofrequency-based): Where larger varicose veins are the issue, surgeons might choose to use catheters (thin tubes) inserted into the problem veins with heated tips. The tube tips will then be slowly withdrawn from the vein, cauterizing and shrinking the vein as they go along, thus dealing with the problem by causing the vein to seal shut. For heat, the tubes utilize laser energy or radiofrequency.
Final Thoughts
The high prevalence of varicose veins in our population makes it vital that we develop effective means of dealing with it and alleviating the suffering of many. While we can make various surgical and non-surgical interventions to avoid, treat, or manage the condition, we need to ensure that we take the safest and most effective measures available.
At Washington Cardiovascular, you can be sure that our highly qualified staff of experienced vascular surgeons and consultants will provide you with the highest quality care and expertise. Call us today for quick, long-lasting, cost-effective solutions to all your vascular needs.
